How to Unbrick Google Pixel 6/Pro via Fastboot Commands

In this guide, we will show you the steps to unbrick the Google Pixel 6/ 6 Pro devices via Fastboot Commands. The latest addition to the Pixel series has bought in quite a few noteworthy changes, both on the software and hardware front. Two of the biggest changes are the complete design overhaul that it has been blessed with (finally!) and Google’s own in-house Tensor chip. Apart from that, the device comes with Android 12 out of the box, so this automatically translates to a plethora of new goodies.

Apart from that, the sixth iteration has continued the legacy of earlier Pixel devices of being an active player in custom development. Be it for flashing custom ROMs or installing a custom recovery like TWRP, there’s a lot to try out. Along the same lines, you could also gain administrative privileges by rooting the device via Magisk [by flashing patched boot.img or flash Magisk ZIP via TWRP]. This in turn will allow you to get your hands on a plethora of tweaks such as Magisk Modules, custom kernels, Substratum Themes, etc.

However, all this is just half the story. Carrying out such modifications does bring in a few uninvited risks as well. If you don’t flash the files correctly or flash it to an incorrect partition, then trouble is on the cards. This will result in the device going into a soft brick or a boot-looped state. Fortunately, there’s an easy way out. You could unbrick your Google Pixel 6/ 6 Pro device via Fastboot Commands and bring it back to life. And in this guide, we will show you how to do just that. Follow along.

• How to Unbrick Google Pixel 6/Pro via Fastboot Commands STEP 1: Install Android SDK STEP 2: Download Pixel 6/Pro Stock Firmware STEP 3: Boot Pixel 6/6Pro to Fastboot Mode STEP 4: Unbrick Pixel 6/Pro via Fastboot Commands
• FAQ: Pixel 6/Pro Still Stuck in Fastboot Mode?

How to Unbrick Google Pixel 6/Pro via Fastboot Commands

The below instructions are listed under separate sections for ease of understanding. Make sure to follow in the exact same sequence as mentioned. Droidwin and its members wouldn’t be held responsible in case of a thermonuclear war, your alarm doesn’t wake you up, or if anything happens to your device and data by performing the below steps.

STEP 1: Install Android SDK

First and foremost, you will have to install the Android SDK Platform Tools on your PC. This is the official ADB and Fastboot binary provided by Google and is the only recommended one. So download it and then extract it to any convenient location on your PC. Doing so will give you the platform-tools folder, which will be used throughout this guide.

STEP 2: Download Pixel 6/Pro Stock Firmware

1. Next up, you will have to get hold of your device’s stock firmware. So download it from the below link (it is recommended to download the latest available firmware): Firmware for Pixel 6 Oriole Firmware for Pixel 6 Pro Raven
2. Once you have downloaded the firmware, extract it inside the platform-tools folder.
3. Likewise, consider renaming the bootloader, image and radio files so that it becomes easier to type in the CMD window: bootloader-oriole-slider-x.x-xxxxxxx.img to bootloader.img image-oriole-xxxx.xxxxxx.xxx.xx.zip to image.zip radio-oriole-xxxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxxx-x-xxxxxxx to radio.img

STEP 3: Boot Pixel 6/6Pro to Fastboot Mode

You will now have to boot your device to the Fastboot Mode. In most cases, as soon as the device is soft-bricked it automatically gets booted to Fastboot. However, if your device is stuck in a bootloop, then let it drain the battery so that the device gets powered off. Then connect your device to the charger and as soon as you do so, press and hold the Power and Volume Down keys. Your device will now be booted to Fastboot.

Reference Image

STEP 4: Unbrick Pixel 6/Pro via Fastboot Commands

1. To begin with, connect your device to the PC via USB cable. Make sure it is booted to Fastboot Mode
2. Then head over to the platform-tools folder, type in CMD in the address bar, and hit Enter. This will launch the Command Prompt.
3. Now type in the following command in the CMD window to flash the bootloader file: fastboot flash bootloader bootloader.img
4. After that, execute the below command to boot your device back to Fastboot Mode: fastboot reboot-bootloader
5. Next up, flash the radio file using the below command: fastboot flash radio radio.img
6. You will now again have to boot your device to Fastboot Mode, so use the below command for that: fastboot reboot-bootloader
7. Finally, you may now flash all the other partition files present inside the update.zip file using the below command: fastboot update image.zip
8. Once the flashing is complete, you may now use the below command to boot your device to the OS [Still facing issues? Check out FAQ at the end]: fastboot reboot

• How to Root Google Pixel 6 via Magisk Patched Boot.img
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1. First off, flash the bootloader and radio files as instructed above. To recall, here are the commands we had used: fastboot flash bootloader bootloader.img fastboot reboot-bootloader fastboot flash radio radio.img fastboot reboot-bootloader
2. Once done, you will now have to format your device and subsequently flash the update.zip. We have combined both these tasks into a single one, so just copy-paste the below command: fastboot -w update image.zip
3. Finally, execute the below command and your device shall now boot to the OS: fastboot reboot
4. That’s it. These were the steps to fix the issue of Pixel 6/Pro being stuck in the Fastboot Mode.

• Serdar 2 years ago Reply I have the same problem. My phone(Pixel6a) is in a reboot-loop state and happened itself. I did not do anything. It froze one day and I tried to reboot it and it is in a reboot loop. My bootloader is also locked since I was not planning to use any custom ROMs. Can not go into UI to enable developer mode either. I can get the fastboot and recover mode but “fastboot flashing unlock” code does not work. I used it last time with my Nexus phone(a long time ago) is there a way to unlock the bootloader with CMD or terminal anymore? Thanks! Serdar 2 years ago Reply I went to recovery mode and remembered that I could hold the power button and push and release the volume up once and wipe data on the device.
• Erick 4 years ago Reply When I try running the CMD fastboot flash bootloader bootloader.img it shows the following: fastboot: error: cannot load ‘bootloader.img’: No such file or directory Erick Garza 4 years ago Reply Never mind I needed to adjust the name due to the extensions being hidden. Another issue is that after running that command I got the following: FAILED (remote: ‘error getting device locked state -1’) Sadique Hassan 4 years ago Reply Hi Erick, it might be that the bootloader has been locked (though that happening in the middle of the process is rare). Could you please execute the fastboot getvar all command and check if the (bootloader) securestate is locked or unlocked. If it is locked, then you will have to unlock it via How to Unlock Bootloader on Google Pixel 6/6 Pro bugsy 3 years ago Reply What to do if bootloader reports as locked (though nothing was touchet at UI level earlier around OEM unlock) and I don’t have access to UI anymore as it claims no valid operating system has been found? Recovery is not available either. Could I somehow force flash Google factory image or anything else or do I have now hard brick? Full story is here: https://forum.xda-developers.com/t/pixel-6-pro-soft-brick-or-hard-brick.4568341/

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Pixel 6 Fingerprint Sensor Not Working: How to Fix

In this guide, we will show you various methods to fix the Pixel 6 fingerprint sensor not working issue. The latest offerings from the Silicon Valley giant have bought in a plethora of new goodies. Right out of the box, you will notice a completely revamped design, which was literally the need of the hour for this series. Then there are quite a few nifty camera tweaks as well which is generally along the expected lines for this lineup.

Apart from that, you will now also be getting three years of OS upgrades and five years of security patches. Moreover, the sixth iteration has welcomed an in-display fingerprint scanner, which is a first for any Pixel device. However, as opposed to other flagships that have straightaway opted for the 3D ultrasonic scanner, Google decided to stick with the old 2D optical scanner. And this isn’t proving to be the right decision.

A slew of complaints are getting accrued where users have voiced their concerns that the under-display fingerprint scanner isn’t working along the expected lines. Considering the money being spent on purchasing these flagships, and the issue gets all the more worrisome. Well, if you are also getting bugged with this issue, then fret not. In this guide, we will make you aware of various methods that shall help you fix the Pixel 6 fingerprint sensor not working issue.

• How to Pixel 6 Fingerprint Sensor Not Working Add the Same Fingerprint Twice Give it An Additonal Second Apply Optimal Pressure Use Dry Hands Clean your Screen Use a compatible screen protector Re-Add Your Fingerprint Install Pending Updates Give AI some time! Contact Google

How to Pixel 6 Fingerprint Sensor Not Working

Do note that there’s no universal fix as such. You will have to try out each of the below-mentioned workarounds and see which one works best in your favor. So keeping that in mind, let’s get started.

Add the Same Fingerprint Twice

An old trick out of the books, adding the fingerprint of the same finger twice or thrice will make the job of the scanner a little bit easier in reading those fine prints. So head over to Settings > Security and fill up two-three slots of fingerprints using the same finger. Then check out if it manages to fix the Pixel 6 fingerprint sensor not working issue.

Give it An Additonal Second

Optical under the hood fingerprints are a tad bit slower than the ultrasonic scanner. So bearing that fact in mind, consider giving an additional second to the scanner so that it is able to efficiently scan your prints.

Apply Optimal Pressure

While it isn’t documented anywhere as such, but these in-display fingerprints (especially the 2-D ones) work best when you apply the pressure in an increasing manner. However, the increase should be done gradually and lightly. So try it out and then see if it is able to fix the Pixel 6 fingerprint sensor not working issue.

Use Dry Hands

It’s no hidden secret that the scanner wouldn’t be able to read the fingerprints if your hands are wet. This is because the moisture would end up creating an additional layer between the scanner and your fingerprints, thereby preventing a successful scan. So make sure to remove such roadblocks before proceeding ahead.

Clean your Screen

Not only your hands but the screen should be cleaned as well, especially the bottom half of the screen where the scanner is located. Even the slightest of dust particles are enough to create hurdles in successful scans. So clean your screen via a cloth or fabric and then verify if the Pixel 6 fingerprint sensor not working issue has been fixed or not.

Use a compatible screen protector

Not all screen protectors are created equally! While they might cause any issues in the normal usage of the device, but they sure could cause conflict with the in-display fingerprint scanner. So if you ever plan to replace your Corning Gorilla Glass Victus protection with a third-party one, make sure to go for a tried and trusted name.

Re-Add Your Fingerprint

Since the optical scanner flashes a bright light underneath to read your fingerprints, it might not have been able to register your fine prints correctly during the setup process. So consider removing the registered fingerprint via Settings > Security and then perform a re-scan to re-add your fingerprints. Check if this gives out any favorable results or not.

Install Pending Updates

While the software upgrades might not necessarily add new features to your device, they surely optimize and improve the overall functioning of the OS as well as your device. Along the same lines, they also iron out all the bugs and issues. So make sure to download and install all pending updates via Settings > System > System Update and then verify if it ends up rectifying the issue or not.

Give AI some time!

Well, Artificial Intelligence does take some time to adapt and adjust, after all. So on continued usage of these scanners, they will ultimately learn and optimize themselves according to the use case scenario. So consider letting go of the initial hiccups for a better journey ahead!

Contact Google

If none of the aforementioned tweaks managed to work out in your favor, then you should consider contacting Google and then chalk out the best route forward. We aren’t still implying that it’s a hardware issue, it’s just that contacting the manufacture will give you a clearer picture.

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